Thread: Nfl 2024 2025

NFL's opening statement in Sunday Ticket included some unusual arguments

It’s hard to find much media coverage of the landmark NFL Sunday Ticket trial. Obviously, NFL.com will never mention it. As a potential deal between Disney and the league to take control of NFL Media continues to loom, ESPN.com has been quiet about it, too.

We’ve been regularly searching for anything about the case. This morning, we stumbled over an item in The Hollywood Reporter that contains some of the content from the league’s opening statement.

It was delivered by Beth Wilkinson, who initially handled the investigation regarding the Commanders and former owner Daniel Snyder — and who was prepared to recommend in writing that Snyder should be forced to sell the team. (The league never asked for her written recommendations.)

The plaintiffs in the Sunday Ticket case claim in part that the NFL insisted on an elevated price for Sunday Ticket in order to protect the broadcast packages purchased by CBS and Fox. Basically, the greater the cost of Sunday Ticket, the less likely fans would be to watch it instead of the games made available on their local CBS and/or Fox affiliates.

While the context, based on the article, isn’t entirely clear, Wilkinson apparently tried to justify the price for Sunday Ticket by pointing to the costs incurred by CBS and Fox to broadcast games.

“The biggest cost is for famous announcers like Tony Romo,” Wilkinson said. “Well guess what? Those people charge a lot of money. Who pays for it? Fox and CBS.”

But no one forces CBS and Fox to pay that much to game analysts. It’s still unclear what CBS blew the curve for Romo, and it’s less clear why Fox offered Tom Brady $375 million on a 10-year deal. However, it’s difficult if not impossible to see any connection whatsoever between those decisions by CBS and Fox and the NFL’s alleged effort to keep Sunday Ticket so expensive that plenty of fans will watch CBS and Fox instead.

Wilkinson also offered a clunky justification for the NFL’s programming decisions: “We’re in L.A. Everyone knows TV programs are exclusive. Back in the day, we only saw Seinfeld on NBC. They don’t have to give their content to other networks. You’re allowed to sell your product how you want.”

The point she was trying to make isn’t obvious. (And that’s putting it kindly.) Also, NBC was (and is) one business. The NFL was (and is) 32 different businesses. The NFL can’t come together and fix prices.

This isn’t about NBC exclusively televising Seinfeld or any other show. It’s about the NFL exclusively making out-of-market games available only to fans who were willing to buy the entire, full-season package for a price that was (allegedly) marked up to ensure that plenty of fans would opt to just watch whatever was on CBS or Fox locally.

It’s a mass effort by the league, operating as one business, to find a sweet spot that maximizes revenue from broadcast networks and the Sunday Ticket provider. Even if that means dictating to the Sunday Ticket provider the price it must charge for the product it has purchased from the NFL.

And even if that means forcing consumers to spend a lot more money for out-of-market games — as well as preventing them from choosing something less than the full-season, whole-league package.

NFL docks Falcons 2025 fifth-round pick, fines club $250K for violating anti-tampering policy

The NFL has found the Atlanta Falcons violated the league's anti-tampering policy this offseason in the signing of three free agents, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Thursday.

The Falcons will be docked a 2025 fifth-round pick and fined $250,000 for logistical violations related to the signings this March of Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot also will be fined $50,000.

"While the policy permits clubs to engage with and negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract with the certified agent of any prospective unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period," the NFL explained in a statement, "any direct contact between the player and an employee or representative of the club is prohibited. This includes discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to these three players."

"We are pleased this review is compete," the Falcons said in a team statement. "We cooperated fully with the league and its review, and appreciate the league's thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve."

Saints RB Alvin Kamara, seeking new contract, skips end of mandatory minicamp

Alvin Kamara skipped the New Orleans Saints' final practice of mandatory minicamp on Thursday.

Kamara's departure was contract-related, the running back's agent, Brad Cicala, told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Saints coach Dennis Allen confirmed that Kamara participated in the morning walkthrough but left during the practice session. The coach said he couldn't confirm why the running back left after attending previous workouts.

Skipping the final day of mandatory minicamp subjects Kamara to a fine.

Kamara technically has two years remaining on his contract, but it's effectively a one-year deal at this stage. The back is set to make $10.2 million in base salary, with just $1 million guaranteed. His 2025 base is $22.4 million with zero guaranteed -- essentially a dummy year on the back end of his extension to inflate the per-year average.

With Christian McCaffrey recently getting a new pact, Kamara, the No. 2-paid RB, wants his deal with the Saints reworked; the two sides have been discussing a contract restructure for a few months, but there has been no progress, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported Thursday.

Jets signing former first-round edge rusher with Haason Reddick holding out

The New York Jets have a situation on their hands with pass rusher Haason Reddick holding out due to his contract, so the franchise has signed another defensive end to compete in Reddick's stead. Per SNY, the Jets are signing former first-round pick Takkarist McKinley, who tried out for a roster spot at Jets minicamp.

The 28-year-old was originally selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of UCLA. In 49 games with the Falcons, "Takk" recorded 79 combined tackles, 17.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. In 2020, which was the final year of his rookie contract, McKinley requested a trade, and was eventually released. While he was claimed by multiple teams, he did not play another game that season due to injury.

In 2021, McKinley signed with the Cleveland Browns, and recorded 18 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks in 11 games played. The following season, he bounced around on a couple of practice squads, but did appear in four games for the Los Angeles Rams. McKinley signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys in March, but was released earlier this month.

NFL analytics expert predicts Miami Dolphins win total for 2024 season

Tua Tagovailoa stayed healthy for the Dolphins last season as the quarterback figured out how to avoid a concussion. But Miami still had injuries, everywhere.

The team finished 11-6 in the regular season with the Dolphins boasting one of the flashiest offenses in the NFL. But with critical injuries to several defenders and offensive linemen, Miami struggled in the frigid air in Kansas City in the opening round of the playoffs. Everything was anemic in the 26-7 defeat.

So what may be in store for the team this season?

Cynthia Frelund, an analytics expert for NFL Network, is predicting 10.2 victories for the Dolphins and the AFC East Division title. Frelund is projecting the win totals for all 32 league teams. She wrote that she based the prediction formula on a mixture of stats, history and trends.

Bengals' Tee Higgins ends holdout by signing one-year franchise tag; what's next for star WR in Cincinnati?

Tee Higgins' holdout with the Cincinnati Bengals appears to be reaching its end. The star wide receiver is signing his franchise tag on Saturday and is expected to be at training camp, according to ESPN. Higgins had been away from the team and did not attend mandatory minicamp as he currently seeks a contract extension. While this does end his holdout, this latest report also relays that the two sides agreeing on a long-term deal is considered a long shot.

The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins in late February, holding the 25-year-old from hitting the open market in free agency. Under the tag, Higgins will make $21.816 million fully guaranteed for the 2024 season.

Brandon Aiyuk 49ers Contract: Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer guesses $29 million

It’s the weekend, which means more Brandon Aiyuk speculation for the San Francisco 49ers. It’s been a bit quiet this week. Last week we discussed a litany of issues around what he was offered, what he was worth, floors, ceilings and everything else.

This week, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer chimed in on the recent reports that Aiyuk was offered $26 Million. In his recent mailbag, Breer was asked if the deal gets done and has this to say:

I think so. My buddy Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle has the San Francisco 49ers’ offer at a new-money average of $26 million per year. My sense is that’s getting in the neighborhood of where they’ll have to lock up Brandon Aiyuk, whom they really do value and love.

I think the final number, if I had to guess, will wind up being $29 million per year, which would put Aiyuk past the Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle and Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown, and still behind the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson by quite a bit (which would be understandable.

This seems in lime with what I would guess as well. As I said last week, if there’s anything they can argue over, they will argue over it. Meanwhile, deals are getting done and Aiyuk has more examples to point at.

$29 million seems like a fair ending to this. Aiyuk would lock up just under $30 million and as Breer says, go above Waddle and St. Brown. Of course it’s all going to boil down to the gaurantees on his deal. In this deals (especially with the San Francisco 49ers) It’s less about the number and more about the guarantees.

I do think the 49ers get the deal done to keep the Brock Purdy/Brandon Aiyuk connection going. That just leaves Deebo Samuel, George Kittle Trent Williams....

Oh and Brock Purdy in a year.

NFL Commish Roger Goodell says 'if any member of the NFL family comes out' they will be supported

Longtime NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell essentially acts as the face of the most popular sport in the U.S.

One of Goodell's main responsibilities is navigating any issues the league may encounter. Currently, Goodell is focused on the NFL's Sunday Ticket lawsuit, in which fans allege the league violated antitrust laws by selling its product at an inflated cost. Goodell took the stand and testified earlier this week.

During Goodell's tenure, the NFL has also made concerted efforts to embrace the LGBTQ+ community.

Over the years, Goodell has pubicly shared stories about his brother Michael, who identifies as gay.

"I love Michael and I’m proud of him," Roger said via Outsports.

According to the outlet, the NFL has an estimated 16 current or former players who have publicly come out as gay or bisexual.

Falcons, QB Michael Penix Jr. agree to terms on rookie contract

Michael Penix Jr. is ready to sign on the dotted line.

The Atlanta Falcons' No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has agreed to terms on a four-year, $22.8 million rookie contract, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source. Rapoport adds that Penix will be signing the deal on Friday.

Atlanta's selection of Penix was the stunning decision of draft night after the club's big offseason signing of Kirk Cousins, who became a Falcon on a four-year, $180 million contract that includes $100 million in guarantees.

Penix will presumably sit behind Cousins for the next couple of years as an eventual successor. The 24-year-old rose to stardom during his final collegiate season, winning the Maxwell Award as the nation's top player and becoming a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after leading the nation in passing with 4,903 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers Sign WR to One-Year Contract

PITTSBURGH -- After the Pittsburgh Steelers released veterans Trenton Thompson and Denzel Mims, the team had an open roster spot to fill before training camp. That spot has been filled, as the team added another player to complete their 90-man roster. Via their X account, the Steelers announced that they signed wide receiver Jacob Copeland to a one-year contract.

Copeland, 24, is a 5'11, 200-pound wideout looking to break out in the NFL. The young receiver is familiar with the Steelers organization, which should give him a leg up in training camp. He spent parts of the 2023 season on the team's practice squad and is getting a second shot with the team in 2024. He's hoping this is the situation where it all clicks.

Before signing with the Steelers, Copeland bounced around the NFL. He originally signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Shortly after the team's training camp, he was waived. After being released, he spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and had two stops with the Steelers practice squads. The Steelers released Copeland near the end of the 2023 regular season, and he signed a futures/reserve contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite getting a helmet on three different organizations, he's yet to appear in a regular season game in the NFL.

Copeland played college football at the University of Florida and the University of Maryland. He amassed 1,866 yards over four seasons at Florida. He played his final season at Maryland, catching 26 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns. With this move, the Steelers 90-man roster is now full.